July 23: The Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley announced the date for the coronation ceremony of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

The announcement was made yesterday afternoon at the Tashichhodzong.

The coronation ceremony of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will be held at the Tashichhodzong on the 8th Day of the 9th Bhutanese month of the Earth Male Rat year corresponding to November 6, 2008.

Announcing the date for the historic occasion, the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley said three enlightened astrologers- Lopen Samten Dorji, the Head of the Institutions of Buddhists Studies, Lopen Zungjug, the astrologer of the Central Monk Body and Lopen Ugyen Dorji, the Principal of the Institute of Astrology in Pangrizampa jointly proposed November 6, 2008 as the most auspicious date for the coronation to which His Majesty the King graciously granted royal assent.

The Prime Minister said the coronation ceremony will be an event that will be primarily celebrated together by the King and the people with minimal guests from outside.

The coronation ceremony will be followed by two days of celebrations at the Changlingmithang stadium. As part of the ceremony at the Tashichhodzong, His Majesty the King shall grant audience to the general public in the afternoon of November 6 at Tshechu pang, the ceremonial ground of the Dzong. This, the Prime Minister said is an opportunity for the people to offer Tashi Khadar to His Majesty the King.

Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley said the first day of the Coronation celebrations at the Changlingmithang stadium shall take place on the 9th Day of the 9th Bhutanese month corresponding to November 7, 2008.

The celebration will be marked with cultural programmes performed by all sections of Bhutanese society belonging to different regions and cultural backgrounds, including organizations of the royal government, the Dratshangs and the three services.

The celebration programme on the second day, November 8 shall be more informal with variety of games and competitions that will include spectators.

The Prime Minister said the coronation of His Majesty the king will further consolidate the country’s sovereign independence and security, promote further unity, harmony, and peace in the kingdom, usher in a new era that will further enhance socio economic prosperity , reinforce the political stability and constitutional democracy.

The Venerable Dorji Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang, the National Assembly Speaker, the Opposition Leader, the Chairperson of the National Council, Cabinet Ministers, the representatives from the armed forces and members of the National Steering Committee for Centenary Celebrations were present at the Kuenrey thoka of the Tashichhodzong where the coronation date was announced.